Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Psalms, offers a fascinating perspective on where that help might come from.
It starts with the idea that "Your help will come from the sanctuary." But what does that even mean? The Midrash doesn't leave us hanging. It clarifies that the "sanctuary" isn't just a physical place. It's also "the sanctuary of the name within you" – that is, the divine spark residing in each of us. And it's "from the sanctuary of your good deeds" – the positive actions we put into the world. So, help comes from within, from our connection to the Divine and from the good we do.
Then the text adds, "He will support you from Zion." Zion, of course, is Jerusalem, the spiritual heart of the Jewish people. But again, there’s a deeper meaning. The Midrash explains this as "the Zion of the commandments within you." In other words, support comes from aligning ourselves with mitzvot (commandments, good deeds), from living a life of meaning and purpose. It’s all the blessings, comforts, and goodness that the Holy One brings into the world from Zion, as Psalm 146 reminds us.
But then, things take a turn. The Midrash then tells a rather…unusual story. It teaches us that everyone needs assistance. It seems even spirits aren't immune to needing a little help now and then.
The story goes that Rabbi Abba bar Dosai was walking by a well when a spirit approached him. This spirit had been living peacefully at the well for ages, causing no harm. But now, another, nastier spirit was trying to muscle in, threatening to wreak havoc on everyone.
"Look," the spirit pleaded, "I've been here for ages, and no one's been hurt. But this new spirit is evil and won't spare anyone! You have to help me!"
Rabbi Abba, understandably, asked, "How exactly am I supposed to help you fight a spirit?"
The spirit laid out a plan: "When he comes, I'll let you know. Come with your students. Have them hit him! He'll think you're here to help me, get scared, and run. Then I can finish him off."
Sounds a little…out there, right? But Rabbi Abba, ever the mensch, agreed. They did exactly as the spirit instructed. And sure enough, they saw a drop of blood in the well, confirming that the evil spirit had been vanquished.
The Midrash concludes with a simple, yet profound statement: "From here, we learn that even spirits need help."
What are we to make of this strange tale? On the surface, it's a reminder that no one is truly independent. Everyone, regardless of their nature or status, needs assistance at some point. Even beings we can't see might be struggling, requiring a helping hand (or a well-aimed strike from a student!).
But perhaps there's a deeper meaning. Maybe it's about the constant struggle between good and evil, not just in the world, but within ourselves. Maybe the "evil spirit" represents our own negative impulses, and the "good spirit" our better nature. And maybe, just maybe, we all need a little help from others – from our "sanctuary within" and from the "Zion of our commandments" – to overcome the darkness and bring more light into the world.
So, next time you feel like you're facing a battle, remember Rabbi Abba bar Dosai and the spirit at the well. Remember that help can come from unexpected places, and that even the strongest among us sometimes needs a little boost to triumph. And remember to offer that help to others, even those you might not expect. After all, we're all in this together, spirits and humans alike.